The 5 Articles of Remonstrants in simple plain English

(^^)Regin · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 01:49 AM

I re-read the 5 articles of the Remonstrants

.

Its giving me a head-ache!

Its like playing Chess with a computer at level 1000!

Is it possible if it could be rewritten in simpler english?

Thank you

Scott1 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 07:31 AM

I'm not formally theologically trained. The response to the remonstrants is what became known as "the five points of Calvinism" (summarized by the acronym "TULIP")

1) Total depravity (the fall of mankind into sin affected every aspect of his being and leaves him with a tendency, a bondage to sin)

v.

There remains a vestigial island of righteousness within man from which he can discern, place and rest on faith in Christ alone for salvation.

2) Unconditional election (God elects man according to the good pleasure of His will, not based on anything man does or even could do to make himself righteous)

v.

God chooses man for salvation based on how God sees man responding in faith to Him

3) Limited atonement (Christ lived a perfect life and died a perfect death on the cross for the specific people past, present and future whom God has elected for mercy and salvation)

v.

God died for everyone and gave everyone a chance to make a decision for Christ. It's possible in this that nobody would receive Christ, and that it is up to man initially, not God.

4) Irresistible grace (God the Holy Spirit, in agreement with the Father's election, will effectually call the person at the appointed time to faith)

v.

Man can resist the call of the Holy Spirit, can decide if he wants to be regenerated or not

5) Perseverance of the Saints (God's election is eternal, regeneration is eternal, and God will preserve by grace those whom He has called)

v.

Man may lose his salvation, somewhat in the same way he got it, by his own decision and obedience (or disobedience)

Understand that all five points biblically necessary and logically are related to and dependent on one another.

Yet, there are people who are referred to themselves as "three point" or "four point" Calvinists (meaning they believe in three or four of the five points, but not one or two of the points).

Usually, the most profound and difficult to understand points are the limited atonement and unconditional election. Often also, it is because of not fully understanding the "T" total depravity.

Once one gets a good grasp on total depravity, that man is left with a basic nature that tends away from God and toward sin, the need for God to first supernaturally intervene with a change of nature becomes clearer.

And that understanding opens the door to the greater issue of the sovereignty of God.

dannyhyde · #3 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 08:58 AM

If you are looking for the actual Remonstrance of 1610, I'll post them here and offer a simplified version:

Article 1
That God by an eternal and immutable decree has in Jesus Christ his Son determined before the foundation of the world to save out of the fallen sinful human race those in Christ, for Christ’s sake, and through Christ who by the grace of the Holy Spirit shall believe in this his Son Jesus Christ and persevere in this faith and obedience of faith; and on the other hand to leave the incorrigible and unbelieving in sin and under wrath and condemn (them) as alienate from Christ - according to the word of the holy gospel in John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life, and whosoever is disobedient to the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him,” and also other passages of the Scriptures.

God determined before the foundation of the world to save those who shall believe and persevere in this faith and obedience of faith

Article 2
That in agreement with this Jesus Christ the Savior of the world died for all men and for every man, so that he merited reconciliation and forgiveness of sins for all through the death of the cross; yet so that no one actually enjoys this forgiveness of sins except the believer – also according to the word of the gospel of John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” And in the first epistle of John 2:2: “He is the propitiation for our sins; and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus Christ merited reconciliation and forgiveness of sins for all; yet no one enjoys this except the believer

Article 3
That man does not have saving faith of himself nor by the power of his own free will, since he in the state of apostasy and sin can not of and through himself think, will or do any good which is truly good (such as is especially saving faith); but that it is necessary that he be regenerated by God, in Christ, through his Holy Spirit, and renewed in understanding, affections or will, and all powers, in order that he may rightly understand, meditate upon, will, and perform that which is truly good, according to the word of Christ, John 15:5: “Without me ye can do nothing.”

Nothing wrong with this, hence the Canons of Dort's "Third and Fourth Head of Doctrine"

Article 4
That this grace of God is the commencement, progression, and completion of all good, also in so far that regenerate man cannot, apart from this prevenient or assisting, awakening, consequent and cooperating grace, think, will or do the good or resist any temptations to evil; so that all good works or activities which can be conceived must be ascribed to the grace of God in Christ. But with respect to the mode of this grace, it is not irresistible, since it is written concerning many that they have resisted the Holy Spirit. Acts 7 and elsewhere in many places.

All good works must be ascribed to the grace of God but the mode of this grace is not irresistible.

Article 5
That those who are incorporated into Jesus Christ and thereby become partakers of his life-giving Spirit have abundant strength to strive against satan, sin, the world, and their own flesh and to obtain the victory; it being well understood (that this is) through the assistance of the grace of the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus Christ assists them through his Spirit in all temptations, extends the hand, and – if only they are prepared for warfare and desire his help and are not negligent – keeps them standing, so that by no cunning or power of satan can they be led astray or plucked out of Christ’s hands, according to the word of Christ, John 10, “No one shall pluck them out of my hands.” But whether they can through negligence fall away from the first principle of their life in Christ, again embrace the present world, depart from the pure doctrine once given to them, lose the good conscience, and neglect grace, must first be more carefully determined from the Holy Scriptures before we shall be able to teach this with the full persuasion of our heart.

Those who are in Christ have strength to strive against satan, sin, the world, and their own flesh through the assistance of the Holy Spirit, if only desire his help and are not negligent. But whether they can through negligence fall away from the first principle of their life in Christ must first be more carefully determined from the Holy Scriptures before we shall be able to teach this with the full persuasion of our heart.

Conclusion
These articles here set forth and taught the Remonstrants hold to be conformable to God’s Word, edifying, and with respect to this matter sufficient unto salvation, so that it is neither necessary nor edifying to rise higher or to descend more deeply.

Jimmy the Greek · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 11:13 AM

Article 3 reads true until it is seen in light of Article 4. What they claim to uphold in Article 3, the Remonstrants effectively negate in Article 4. Hence the Canons of Dort address 3 & 4 together.

The synergism of Arminianism is maintained in Article 4 as well as supremacy of man's will. It is man who must (of himself) cooperate with God's grace, which is resistible by this very same free will.